Taiwanese Gamer Dies After Marathon 40-Hour Diablo III Session

Video games can be deadly and we’re not talking about the action that takes place on screen in relation to the character/avatar you play.

A Taiwanese gamer, 18, died after embarking on a 40-hour Diablo III session.

The popular game is addictive, especially since repeat play is required to build a character’s strength in an attempt to conquer Diablo.

The gamer, known only by his last name Chuang, spent nearly two days playing the game in a private room at an Internet café. He collapsed, only to be discovered on a table. When he woke up, he stumbled for a few steps and collapsed again. The cause of death is not yet known, but media reports speculate that he died of cardiovascular issues.

Blizzard, the game’s manufacturer, issued a statement about the gamer’s death, expressing sympathy at the loss yet absolving itself of personal liability or responsibility, taking a “play at your own risk” stance.

The statement read as follows:

We’re saddened to hear this news, and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. We don’t feel it would be appropriate for us to comment further without knowing all of the circumstances involved. While we recognize that it’s ultimately up to each individual or their parent or guardian to determine playing habits, we feel that moderation is clearly important, and that a person’s day-to-day life should take precedence over any form of entertainment.